China will proactively explore a "Two Systems solution" to the Taiwan question and increase efforts towards peaceful reunification, said Chen Binhua, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland. Scholars and experts from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, as well as Hong Kong and Macao, have widely acknowledged the achievements of "One Country, Two Systems" in both Hong Kong and Macao, which demonstrate the strong vitality of the practice.
"The remarkable achievements Macao has made since its return to the motherland prove to the world that the practice of 'One Country, Two Systems' has significant institutional advantages and strong vitality. It is a good practice for maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao, for serving the great cause of building a strong nation and achieving national rejuvenation, and for enabling peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation between different social systems. Over the past 25 years, Macao's economic indicators have risen to the top globally, and the well-being of its people has significantly improved," said Chen.
Macao's GDP has grown sevenfold since its return, making it one of the wealthiest cities in Asia, Chen said. The number of annual tourist visits to Macao increased from 7 million in 1999 to 32.54 million, while per capita GDP exceeded 559,000 Macanese pataca (about 69,943 U.S. dollars), he said, adding that the average life expectancy of Macao residents reached 83.1 years, ranking among the highest in the world.
"These achievements clearly demonstrate that 'One Country, Two Systems' is fully workable, achievable, and widely supported. The motherland can be relied upon, and reunification brings benefits. We will continue working with our compatriots in Taiwan to explore a 'Two Systems solution' to the Taiwan issue and increase our efforts towards peaceful reunification. In designing the specifics for implementing 'One Country, Two Systems', we will give full consideration to the realities in Taiwan and the views and proposals from all walks of life on both sides, and fully accommodate the interests and sentiments of our compatriots in Taiwan. We believe that our compatriots in Taiwan will develop a better understanding of the principle, and that the 'Two Systems solution' to the Taiwan issue will play its full role while compatriots on both sides work together towards peaceful reunification," said Chen.
China to actively explore Two Systems solution to Taiwan question: spokesman
China to actively explore Two Systems solution to Taiwan question: spokesman
